Pastor's Corner

2Mar

Mid-Week Challenge

This election season has been one of many surprises. At minimum, from the start, it has been anything but ordinary. Here we are in March and honestly, the debates have taught us nothing about the policies of the candidates. They have, however, been very entertaining. I think we might be one more debate away before we start to hear “yo momma” insults. Really, what remains that has not been attacked? With the lack of information from the candidates I find the surge in emotion from citizens to be unsettlingly strange. People are yelling back and forth but they have no idea what they are yelling about because, if you are honest, no one has given us anything to yell about. People on both sides showed up in record numbers last night for Super Tuesday, which I think is great! Americans should take pride in our election process and honor the sacrifice of those who fight to ensure this freedom! As excited as I was to vote, my emotions were set at neutral on who to vote for. I participated based on the information available, which wasn’t much. So I had little emotion when it was announced that Trump and Hillary were the big winners of the evening. I guess I was one of the few who did not see the sky falling because Google reported a surge of activity.

Has the situation become that bad? So bad that we need to abandon ship? I laughed out loud when I read the news report. It occurred to me that this move has become typical of our culture. Instead of sticking it out, seeing thing through, like big boys and girls when things don’t go your way, just quit and take your toys and go elsewhere. Instead of having adult conversations and debating the issues of our day, we yell and scream with such emotion but when we do not win, well let’s just leave.

People were this way in Jesus day. They loved following after Him when He was telling such great stories and catering their meals for free. But when it came time to have an adult conversation that required taking personal responsibility, going to work and providing for themselves the crowds turned on Him. The very people who so enthusiastically welcomed Him into the city were the same ones who were yelling crucify Him a week later. (John 6:66-69, 12:12 & 19:15)

What can we learn from all of this? Don’t let your emotions get the best of you. Don’t put your hope in a candidate. People let us down but Jesus never will. Take ownership in what it means to be an American. More so, take ownership of your faith and live as you believe. Only then will change come, things become great again and you will be whole.